Modulation of chromatin structure in the regulation of the maize Adh1 gene

Summary

Promoter DNA sequences that are important for gene regulation have been shown to be hypersensitive to nuclease digestion in the transcriptionally active chromatin of animals and their viruses. Restriction endonuclease digestion of nuclei reveals sensitivity in the 5′ flanking region of the maize Alcohol dehydrogenase-1 (Adh1) gene. There is a direct correlation between degree of sensitivity and the transcriptional state of the gene, and there are strong indications that developmental and environmental controls over Adh1 regulation operate by different mechanisms.